Windows 7 ReadyBoost?

[google88]

Windows 7 ReadyBoost

Will it really speed up my computer booting etc (win7 laptop)

or are the benefits marginal?

[Ranget]

it will speed up fetching common used Files

i think on the earlier days someone did a review on Photoshop Loading time
it only enhanced it boot time a second Less than the usual time

[kupo]

If you're on 64 bit, just get more RAM, it's cheap nowadays. I used it before and I didn't noticed a thing. o.O

[google88]

cheers for the extra info

[Ranget]

The SuperFetch cache

The SuperFetch cache management technology in Windows 7 is designed to enhance the operating system’s responsiveness when loading and switching between applications that you use most often. Using adaptive techniques, SuperFetch will constantly monitor the data and system files related to the applications that you use most often and preload them into the cache where they can be loaded into memory the fastest.

To further improve performance SuperFetch incorporates an I/O prioritization technology, in which applications are marked as either a low- or high-priority I/O application. With this system, SuperFetch will temporarily sideline a low-priority I/O application when a high-priority I/O application takes precedence. Of course, this will greatly improve the performance of those applications marked as high-priority I/O.

While the SuperFetch cache management technology works perfectly fine while running on your system’s main hard disk, it usually works better when it is stored on a flash-based memory device using the ReadyBoost system. This is because a hard disk relies on physically moving components, which makes it inherently slow when compared to flash memory with its very fast, electronic data transfer system.

http://www.techrepublic.com/blog/win...windows-7/2225

in my opinion if you have a Disposable 2GB USB stick
throw it in if it didn't help it wont hurt

[Victek123]

Originally Posted by google88

Windows 7 ReadyBoost

Will it really speed up my computer booting etc (win7 laptop)

or are the benefits marginal?

In my experience the benefits are marginal, but if you already have a supported flash drive you could try it.

If you have less than three gigs of ram then you would see more benefit from a ram upgrade Vs ReadyBoost.

[Hungry Man]

If you're running Windows 7 on an old HDD and 1GB of RAM you'll likely benefit a lot from readyboost.

The faster your HDD and the more RAM you already have the less benefits you'll see.

DDR3 RAM is cheap. You can get 8 GB (2x4GB) for ~40 dollars now.

[xxJackxx]

I have seen articles that claim if you have 2GB of RAM or more it does nothing. Pretty much matches my experience. I did get a couple of BSODs out of it when I was testing it. If you want a faster boot get an SSD. Not as cost effective but actually makes a difference.

[TheMozart]

So U plugged in a fast speed 8GB USB stick into my laptop running W7 and told W7 to use the entire USB stick for ReadyBoost.

Does it really make a difference? What does it do exactly? And how can I tell if it's really being used?

[JRViejo]

Merged Threads to Continue Related Topic.

[berryracer]

Originally Posted by skudo12

If you're on 64 bit, just get more RAM, it's cheap nowadays. I used it before and I didn't noticed a thing. o.O

Ditto!

Nice technology on paper, doesn't do a noticeable thing in real life! Just occupies one USB port / Flash Disk for no benefit in return

[TheMozart]

Originally Posted by berryracer

Ditto!

Nice technology on paper, doesn't do a noticeable thing in real life! Just occupies one USB port / Flash Disk for no benefit in return

Do you have any testing data to show that using a ReadyBoost USB stick has absolutely ZERO benefit?

[Hungry Man]

It can have very large benefits. A system with 1GB of RAM running Win7 would potentially see very large benefits.

Older systems have low ram and slow HDDs. Access times on a USB will be far lower and random reads/writes might even be faster. It's not as good as adding anothre GB or 2 of RAM but it's definitely going to help an old computer feel less bogged down.

[berryracer]

Originally Posted by Hungry Man

It can have very large benefits. A system with 1GB of RAM running Win7 would potentially see very large benefits.

Older systems have low ram and slow HDDs. Access times on a USB will be far lower and random reads/writes might even be faster. It's not as good as adding anothre GB or 2 of RAM but it's definitely going to help an old computer feel less bogged down.

Are you seriously suggesting that one use the crappy ReadyBoost rather than stick in a cheap $20 USD 2 GB SODIMM or 4 GB for $40 USD?

Maybe in the past but these days, it makes absolutely no sense to use readyboost with how cheap RAM is

(no offense meant but I know you're one of the smarter guys here on the forums)

[Hungry Man]

ReadyBoost is aimed at older computers and those are not always able to be upgraded. My 1.66ghz + 1GB Toshiba Laptop has 1GB of RAM and it's not expandable. So, yes, I ReadyBoost is the best solution for that computer. I would imagine that many others are in similar situations.

It also may be the case that the laptop is still under warranty and therefor opening it up would void that warranty, especially to replace parts. ReadyBoost doesn't void any warranty.

RAM is cheap and you'll see a much greater difference going from 1GB to 2GB than 1GB + USB Cache. It's just not always an option.

I do appreciate the compliment though lol no offense taken.

[berryracer]

Originally Posted by Hungry Man

ReadyBoost is aimed at older computers and those are not always able to be upgraded. My 1.66ghz + 1GB Toshiba Laptop has 1GB of RAM and it's not expandable. So, yes, I ReadyBoost is the best solution for that computer. I would imagine that many others are in similar situations.

It also may be the case that the laptop is still under warranty and therefor opening it up would void that warranty, especially to replace parts. ReadyBoost doesn't void any warranty.

RAM is cheap and you'll see a much greater difference going from 1GB to 2GB than 1GB + USB Cache. It's just not always an option.

I do appreciate the compliment though lol no offense taken.

You have a very good point there

ReadyBoost is the only solution if the laptop isn't upgradable

Bear in mind that simply opening the back panel to change RAM doesnt void the warranty. If you dig further that voids it

[Hungry Man]

Depends. I asked Sony if I could open up my laptop to clean out dust. They said it would void my warranty. Never buying a Sony again (for multiple reasons) but yeah, for a while there I was reluctant to even open it up.

[Tsast42]

I remember reading a while back that even for computers with RAM limitations not any USB can be utilised for Readyboost, to be usable there are speed requirements that Windows tests for before creating the Readyboost cache. If this is true for minimum utilisation then perhaps at the other end using modern USB 3.0 technology might provide further improvements. Of course if you have USB 3.0 you probably have space to upgrade the RAM which would still be faster... Still if you're wary of opening your machine it might do some good.